Tune In Or Tune Out: 'NCIS: Sydney' Brings More Of The Same In New Spinoff
NCIS’ first international spinoff finds trouble overseas following special agents’ crime solving in Sydney, Australia. It centers Michelle Mackey (Olivia Swann), a cold field agent looking for control, and Jim “JD” Dempsey (Todd Lasance), a charming Australian Police officer, as they fight bad guys and each other. The series delves into the world of criminal homicides and corruption, examining the underlying conflicts between assailants and the group. However, NCIS Sydney lacks the personality to keep audiences engaged, regurgitating the NCIS style without much substance. With superficial characters, the series is numbingly enjoyable at best and uninteresting at worst.
Meet The NCIS
The synergy of the main cast propels each episode into an exciting drama, despite Mackey’s ability to drain a scene of all its entertainment. She is a strong, confident leader but incredibly one-noted. Rarely does she express any emotion near the vicinity of the group, playing a pseudo-stereotypical ‘tough cop’ without much charisma or on-screen chemistry with any group members. On the other hand, JD provides a much-needed breath of fresh air with his charismatic Australian charm and empathic persona. Keeping that sarcastic Australian charm is Evie (Tuuli Narkle); her flirtatious, eccentric personality allows her to easily sneak into a room full of criminals, even if her overconfidence leaves her astray in the lion’s den. Alternatively, Jackson (Sean Sagar) hides by her side, bringing reason to Evie’s brashness. He is sympathetic to everyone he meets, provides comfort to people he cares about, and isn’t afraid to voice his opinion. The team receives intel from Bird (Mavournee Hazel), a timid yet brilliant computer investigator looking for a home within the team. She is anxious and incredibly perceptive, yet constantly feels isolated from everyone. Lastly, Rosie (William McInnes), a witty and compassionate forensic pathologist, uses his unflinching honesty to create stability for the group.
None of the characters get moments to show other sides of themselves, aside from a heartfelt episode when Bird’s contract ends and she officially joins the team. Bits of their lives pop up sporadically beneath the blood and violence of their cases, yet no growth occurs and arcs don’t develop. Each episode’s case is conceptually interesting, but without any personal progression for characters, NCIS Sydney leaves audiences with a run-of-the-mill procedural that works best as background noise.
Was It Tune In Or Tune Out?
Characters have nothing going for them as each episode packs too much in its 52-minute runtime. Episodes feel rushed due to forced twists and diversions. However, the series has its moments, especially in episode five; a dog cafe is held hostage when a teenage girl reveals an explosive belt underneath her coat. In order to save others, noble JD struggles whether to kill this teenager, creating necessary personal conflict in a series that paints each character as morally indestructible. Despite this, episodes devolve into the stereotypical bad guys versus good guys, interpersonal conflicts are resolved quickly, and the little character growth presented is quickly forgotten. Given the shallowness of the team’s thoughts and desires, there is no connection with the characters. Thus, convoluted, drawn-out cases are the only source of momentum.
Despite being the first international NCIS spinoff, there isn’t much separating NCIS Sydney from its American counterpart. The only real difference is the Sydney Opera House in the pilot and the Australian fauna in episode two. The season doesn’t take advantage of Australian wildlife, locations, or culture, leaving viewers with a limited understanding of Australian life and unable to pinpoint differences between its other spinoffs.
NCIS Sydney suffers from a lack of worldbuilding, unimaginative characters, and crammed episodes. Swann’s static performance leaves the supporting cast to pick up the slack, and when episodes don’t allow for characterization, it’s hard for the show to stand on its feet and not fall down. Despite its pitfalls, NCIS Sydney makes for an enjoyable procedural during its highlights. Dynamic duo Jackson and Evie lead to some genuinely funny moments while the subtle romantic undertones of JD and Mackey’s relationship entices viewers with what will happen next. The side characters make up the heart of the series, and thankfully NCIS Sydney understands how to properly weave them into the narrative.
Who Will Like It?
If you are looking for a dynamic procedural filled with intense moments and drama-filled characters, you may be disappointed. The series is a standard, inoffensive procedural that is underwhelming yet mildly amusing with its enjoyable side characters and genuine moments of drama. However, the series’ occasional intensity doesn’t make up for its incohesive story and characterization. All five episodes of NCIS: Sydney can be streamed on Paramount+, with the rest of the season available in January 2024 on CBS.